Koivunen was part of the return the Penguins received in the 2024 trade of Jake Guentzel. The former Finnish league standout could now be set to make his NHL debut after leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and ranking fifth in the AHL with 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists) in 62 games.

Rutger McGroarty, who immediately became the best Penguins’ prospect when he was acquired in August, finds his stall beside Sidney Crosby’s in the locker room. Even better, McGroarty looks to be playing on Crosby’s left wing when the Penguins host the Senators on Sunday, which happens to be McGroarty’s 21st birthday.

In their last three games - all losses - against the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Buffalo Sabres, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been outscored, 17-7.

Forwards Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen - recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) on Friday - will both figure into the starting lineup when the Penguins take on the Ottawa Senators Sunday in Pittsburgh. And not only will they crack the lineup sheet, they will also occupy the two left wing slots in the top-six.

Sunday begins the next chapter of the Penguins’ rebuild. Top forward prospects Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty will be in the Penguins’ lineup as they face Ottawa at PPG Paints Arena.

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins NHL game to be played on March 30, 2025 on ESPN.

Shuts out Senators

The Pittsburgh Penguins (30-34-11) ended a miserable three-game losing streak with a 1-0 overtime win over the playoff-bound Ottawa Senators on Sunday evening at PPG Paints Arena.

The Ottawa Senators held on to grab a point as they fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in overtime. OTT @ PIT | 03.30.25 The Ottawa Senators held on to grab a point as they fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in overtime.